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Friday Favorite: Experiments

February 20th, 2015

I’m always experimenting to find better/faster/more efficient ways to do things. It’s nice when that natural drive coincides with a job. I mentioned previously that I’m writing an article for Grit magazine about small scale fodder systems. I’ve been trying different types of grain, oats, barley, wheat, rye, as well and hulled an unhealed grain to see which is best.
chicken fodder
It’s a lot of work, but fun work and needless to say the chickens have been loving every single option!

Any fun experiments going on in you garden/farm?

6 Comments to “Friday Favorite: Experiments”
  1. ann roberts on February 20, 2015 at 7:16 am

    I also grow fodder but usually only at the tail end of winter when I run out of natural fresh growing things to pick for our rabbits. One thing I grow that I don’t find many others growing are field peas. I bought a big bag from our organic co-op source. I had planned on making my own chicken feed and field peas are often a major part of organic feed. But I would have to throw them in my blender to break them up and quickly found that was not going to happen regularly or in large enough amounts to be worth the time.

    But I decided to give sprouting them a go first and then let them grow out even further. A little slower process than grains but the rabbits and very likely the chickens also.

    They also love corn sprouts but it is nearly impossible to find organic corn meant to be sprouted than one can afford to buy

    Reply to ann roberts's comment

  2. Nebraska Dave on February 20, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Susy, I think it’s great you are working on an article for GRIT. GRIT is where I first connected with you and your blog. I’ve not really gotten into the green manure aspect of gardening. Since I don’t have chickens or animals, the fodder aspect is not on the table. I know you do both. My Dad would grow clover to turn under in the spring for fertilizer before planting corn. He was pretty much an organic farmer when that was just the way farming was done. Chemical fertilizer came into fashion many years later but he kept to the old ways with less harvest but way cheaper cost.

    The basement growing system is waiting for the initial trial which probably won’t happen for another month or two. I’m kind of anxious to see how or if it will actually work. The onions are growing strong at about four inches now and the cabbages are just starting to peek through the soil. All are in the basement growing room next to the food storage room.

    Have a great article research day.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

  3. Chris on February 20, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    I love this photo of your chickens feasting on their winter greens! Regarding your previous post on the hard boiled eggs…did you mix the avocado with the yolk or was that straight up mashed avocado?
    They looked so yummy!

    Reply to Chris's comment

    • Susy on February 20, 2015 at 5:15 pm

      I mixed the avocado with the yolk. I think I used one whole avocado for the six eggs. I also added some lime juice to keep it from browning, probably about a half a lime. Cilantro is great on top as well, I didn’t have any this week.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  4. Charlie@Seattle Trekker on February 21, 2015 at 12:18 am

    It is my dream to retire and spend my time running a small farm…Your suggestions, tips, and even information on your failures is all greatly appreciated.

    Reply to Charlie@Seattle Trekker's comment

  5. judym on February 21, 2015 at 10:28 am

    We’ve been researching into this for a while. Hubs has been drawing up plans for a rotating system of growth. Can’t wait to get started.

    Reply to judym's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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